Reflecting on my life, hitting the 60-year mark feels monumental. How did I get here? Well, let’s rewind a bit.
My 50s were a rollercoaster of experiences, emotions, and significant life events. I often find myself marveling at everything that transpired during this transformative decade.
The upswing: The beautiful chapters
Many beautiful memories were etched into my life during this period. I met the love of my life, in my 40s, and we exchanged vows four years later.
It was a union that changed my life in ways I hadn’t imagined. Together, we embarked on numerous adventures, the most recent one being our trip to Oaxaca, where I am currently penning down these memories.
Professionally, I established this website, VivaFifty.com, turning it into a viable venture that provided for us. The wanderlust in me was ever-present, making me travel extensively, exploring new horizons, and making memories.
Yoga beckoned me, and I became a certified 500-hour trained yoga instructor. It’s fascinating how life reignited old flames in me, leading to my love for dancing and rollerblading once again.
I challenged myself to learn to handstand by 60 but achieved it by the age of 57!
The surprises didn’t end there; I took on improv, storytelling, and even acting! A turn of events I wouldn’t have anticipated.
My circle of friends grew richer and more diverse, and I felt a deeper connection with every addition. Writing remained a constant, allowing me to publish more books.
However, the highlight was witnessing my children morph into wonderful individuals and take on the world with gusto.
The downswing: The challenges I confronted
However, life is never a one-sided coin. My 50s brought with them their fair share of heartbreaks and trials. The loss of my dearest friend and subsequently, two more friends to the dreaded disease of cancer, shook me to the core.
My family also faced its challenges, with my grandmother passing away and my father battling health issues like a quadruple coronary bypass and colon cancer.
I personally faced health scares – a close call with colon cancer, shingles, COVID-19, eye issues (posterior vitreous detachment in both eyes), and a painful rotator cuff tear.
Navigating through these while parenting three spirited teenagers wasn’t easy. There were days when the weight of depression seemed almost unbearable.
Embracing the present: turning super sixty
As I stand at the cusp of a new decade, I’m adorned with scars – but each one tells a story of resilience, growth, and undying spirit.
Turning 60 has made me feel stronger, rooted, compassionate, curious, and more receptive to the unpredictable nature of life.
Challenges? I face them head-on.
Today, I revel in the joy of being alive, appreciating every moment, and being indebted to the numerous souls who’ve been part of my journey. If there’s one thing I’m certain of, it’s that my best days are still ahead of me.
Turning 60 is not a tragedy but something to be celebrated (my late friends Belinda and Lucia will never turn this age), and for recognizing that, my heart brims with gratitude.
Other blog posts you may enjoy:
The 3 cosmetic enhancements I rely on in my 50s
Turning 59 feels just fine; here’s why
My 58th birthday photoshoot at the beach
My 57th birthday photoshoot and why I do it every year
I just turned 55 and I’m so freaking grateful
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